Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863 to Amanda Wilkinson

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.079 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863 Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 February 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Writes to his wife that much of his division has left for North Carolina and the remaining troops are preparing to depart. He thinks that the move to North Carolina will be a good one as they have stayed in Virginia for too long. Reports that the army has great confidence in General Joseph Hooker. He writes that Hooker has "the agility of two [General George] McCllelans the sagacity of two [General Ambrose] Burnsides and the bravery of a [General Philip] Kearney." Explains that Hooker will have his men fight to the very death and those who do not fight will be removed from the army. Reports that there are too many officers and too few men. He sends her 40 dollars. States that if the regiment continues to become smaller he will return home and try for command in a new regiment. Tells his wife that Captain Benson has gone home and will call on her. He has heard that Captain Benson resigned; if this is true that will make him the fifth officer to do so in two months. He thinks that some of the men have been promoted out of their proper place.

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources